Slovak Prime Minister Eduard Heger announced on Friday that his country was sending a Soviet-era S-300 air defense system to Ukraine to “help save many innocent lives from the Putin regime’s aggression.”
Heger made the remarks during a visit to Ukraine with European Union Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell.
“I can confirm that the Slovak Republic has donated to Ukraine an air defense system, the S-300. I believe that this defense system will help save many innocent lives from the Putin regime’s aggression,” Heger said.
The S-300PS missile systems are depicted during the Kiev Independence Day Parade in Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, in 2021. (Volodymyr Tarasov / Ukrinform / Future Publishing via Getty Images)
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“However, donating this system does not mean that Slovakia has become part of the armed conflict,” he added. “And I would like to assure all the citizens of the Slovak Republic that the protection of our territory is sufficiently secure and will be strengthened in the coming days by another system by our allies.”
The transfer of military equipment is the first known case of a country supplying such weapons to Ukraine since the start of the Russian invasion on February 24, according to Reuters.
Oleg Mezhiritsky stands outside his home, injured after a Russian attack in Kharkov, Ukraine, on Friday. (AP / Felipe Dana)
President Joe Biden said on Friday that “I want to thank the Slovak government for providing an S-300 air defense system to Ukraine, something that President Zelensky personally raised in our talks. The United States will reposition a US Patriot missile system. in Slovakia “.
“Now is not the time for complacency,” Biden added. “The Russian army may have failed in its goal of occupying Kyiv, but it continues to inflict horrific acts of barbarism on the Ukrainian people.”
Refugees walk after fleeing the war from neighboring Ukraine to the border crossing in Medyka, southeastern Poland, on Friday. (AP / Sergei Grits)
The S-300 system has the capability to shoot down cruise missiles and military aircraft, according to the Associated Press.
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US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin also said Friday that the system provides a “critical defense capability” for Ukraine.
“It’s a strong demonstration of how determined Ukraine’s neighbors are to help Ukrainians defend themselves against Russia’s unprovoked invasion of their homeland,” he added.
Fox News’ Liz Friden contributed to this report.
